Balkans: 2013 EU year of enlargement, Irish presidency says

More Balkans in EU, we want to see progress for all, Gilmore

(ANSAmed) - BRUSSELS, JANUARY 22 - ''2013 will be a great
year for enlargement towards the Balkans,'' Irish Foreign
Affairs Minister Eamon Gilmore told the EP foreign affairs
committee on behalf of the serving Irish EU presidency.

''We want to see concrete progress for all candidate
countries, including potential ones,'' said Gilmore. ''In the
first half of 2013, we will have the opportunity to open
negotiations with Serbia and Macedonia, give Albania candidate
status, and sign an association agreement with Kosovo.''
Croatia, which is scheduled to join the EU in July, must
keep up its momentum towards integration, Gilmore said.

''We know that this is an ambitious agenda, but the Irish
presidency will work for the progress of all Western Balkan
countries,'' the minister said. ''Ireland also supports a
Bosnian candidacy, and we hope the Bosnian government will show
signs of progress towards the EU.'' (ANSAmed).